Sperm Bank FAQ

Most donor sperm is sent to a fertility clinic, where a medical practitioner will assist the recipient with artificial insemination.  However, donor sperm may be also sent directly to the recipient, who may then perform her own artificial insemination.

The most common types of artificial insemination are:

• Intracervical insemination (ICI), in which the donor sperm is placed in the cervix.  ICI may be performed with either washed or unwashed sperm.
• Intrauterine insemination (IUI), in which the donor sperm is placed directly in the uterus.  Washed sperm is used for IUI.
• In-vitro fertilization (IVF), in which the egg is fertilized by the sperm outside the body, and the fertilized egg is later implanted in the uterus.

Medically, a pregnancy achieved using donor sperm and artificial insemination is no different from a pregnancy achieved using partner sperm and sexual intercourse.